He grinned, teeth bloody. “Gladly.”
We sprinted into the fray.
My blade delivered deadly blow after deadly blow. I blocked out everything else except the blur of enemy bodies as I carved my way through them, their screams following me as they died.
I spotted Malesh in the melee, still fighting, but he was struggling. He was bleeding from a dozen wounds, hunched over, sword arm trembling. One of the Wraith Borne advanced on him, and I darted forward. As I broke through the line, I flanked his attacker and plunged my sword through his spine. He arched, letting out a wail, before going limp.
Malesh sagged, spitting blood. “Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
We pressed ahead, side by side, as we drove the enemy back toward the far wall.
I watched as they darted forward, attacked the soldiers closest to them, before retreating. Again and again, they deployed the same move, drawing in close only to turn and run at the last moment.
“They’re not here to win,” I said, wiping blood from my eyes. “They’re here to keep us busy.”
Malesh nodded. “They sent in shock troops to draw us out. But what the hell are they distracting us from?”
I spun, scanning the horizon. In the distance, a horn sounded, and all the Wraith Borne abandoned their posts as they turned and fled.
Dread settled in my gut as one thought kept circling in my mind.
“Cadence.”
Chapter Fourteen
Cadence
Callum was searching for my Da.
He’d silenced my protests when he’d leaned in, whispering that we had to know if my father was responsible for the attack.
Still, I’d hesitated.
I had no idea how long my father would wait before coming for me. My time may have already been up. Either way, my brother was out there, risking his neck to find out.
Guilt. Anxiety. Fear.
They all twisted my stomach as I paced the length of Ryker’s chambers, waiting for news.
My footsteps faltered when I heard the distinct sound of a floorboard creaking in the adjacent room.
I froze.
It wasn’t Ryker. His steps were heavier, more deliberate. These were softer, more tentative, as if someone were trying hard to stay silent.
Another floorboard creaked, and I scanned the chamber for a weapon. My gaze landed on a familiar dagger, the one I had plunged into Ryker’s shoulder, and I picked it up, my fingers wrapping around the hilt.
“Who’s there?” I called, trying to keep my voice steady.
There was no answer.
My knife work had improved, but I was far from a skilled fighter. I had always felt comforted by the knowledge that my magic was simmering beneath my fingertips, ready to do my bidding.
But Ryker had stripped me of that protection, and I hated him for it.
My heartbeat thundered in my ears as I moved toward the sound, every instinct screaming that something was wrong. The candlelight flickered against the far wall, casting long, shifting shadows.
